02

MOTHER
OF
GOD
 DIVINE
MOTHERHOOD
This Dogma is referred to by
the original Greek title of Mary:
Theotokos, which means “God-
bearer.” Mary of Nazareth is clearly
the mother of Jesus. She bore Him in
her womb, gave birth to Him, and
raised Him with the help of her
chaste spouse, Joseph.
 Hist ry
The title "Mother of God" in Christian theology
highlights Mary, Jesus' mother, giving birth to the
Son of God, a central concept in the Incarnation.
Rooted in the New Testament, especially Luke, the
Annunciation narrative details Mary conceiving
through the Holy Spirit, affirming Jesus' dual nature.
Coined during the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD,
the term "Theotokos" (The Greek word Theotokos
means to bear God) stressed Mary's role in uniting
Christ's divine and human natures. Over centuries,
Mary's veneration as the Mother of God deepened,
notably in Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions,
reinforced by dogmas like the Immaculate
Conception and the Assumption.
 The council of Ephesus

also known as the Third Ecumenical Council,

was a gathering of leaders of the Christian churches
in the Roman Empire to deal with the Nestorian
controversy. It was held over several sessions in 431
at the Church of Mary in Ephesus, Asia Minor
(modern Turkey).
The council of Ephesus
 Why is divine motherhood taught?
This teaching plays an integral part in
christological dogma as it affirms Jesus's identity
through the recognition of his mother. Through
her Divine Motherhood, Mary lovingly
cooperated in the salivic work of her Son. For this
reason, the Catechism writes, “she is a mother to
us in the order of grace” (968).
Why is divine motherhood important?

Revelation does not merely tell us that Mary

became the Mother of Christ and hence her
maternity is truly divine; it also tells us that she
became the Mother of God the Redeemer.
How is Mary's motherhood symbolic of
the church?
The Father chose Mary from
among all women to be the mother,
according to human nature, of His
Divine Son. As she is Mother of
Christ in the natural order, she is
also the Mother of His Mystical
Body, the Church, of which He is
the Head in the order of grace.
 The role of Mary in the bible
Accordingly, Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ,
who was and is a divine person. Although Mary
did not “originate” or “generate” God, she did
bear Him in her womb and give birth to Him.
She was God's mother. The controversy over
Mary's title as “Mother of God” was addressed
in 431 A.D. at the Council of Ephesus.
 The role of Mary in the church
Mary is also seen as the model of the
Church. The belief is that she
exemplifies the mission of the Church
in all of her actions. She agreed to
God's will to give birth to Jesus and
supported and displayed her faith in her
son throughout his ministry.
STORY IN THE BIBLE ABOUT MARY
THE "MOTHER OF GOD"

The story of Mary started in the New Testament in

the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
THANK
YOU